Synonyms of languorous

languorous

adjective

ˈlaŋ-gə-rəs 

as in languid

lacking bodily energy or motivation

the drummer's languorous playing caused the rest of the band to keep missing the beat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• languid
• listless
• lackadaisical
• tired
• spiritless
• exhausted
• limp
• sleepy
• languishing
• weak
• lazy
• weary
• enervated
• indolent
• slothful
• sluggish
• lethargic
• feeble
• torpid
• careless
• phlegmatic
• indifferent
• dull
• stolid
• thoughtless
• impassive
• apathetic
• heedless
• inert
• frail
• logy
• knackered
• inactive
• unwary

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ambitious
• energetic
• active
• dynamic
• kinetic
• animated
• enterprising
• industrious
• motivated
• enthusiastic
• eager
• lively
• vivacious
• cheerful
• pumped
• keen
• perky
• avid
• up
• watchful
• sleepless
• awake
• dapper
• vigilant
• wide-awake
• alert
• chipper
• open-eyed
• agog

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective languorous differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of languorous are lackadaisical, languid, listless, and spiritless. While all these words mean "lacking energy or enthusiasm," languorous suggests a dreamy boredom and delicacy that avoids unnecessary activity.

languorous cats lying in the sun

When is it sensible to use lackadaisical instead of languorous?

In some situations, the words lackadaisical and languorous are roughly equivalent. However, lackadaisical implies a carefree indifference marked by half-hearted efforts.

lackadaisical college seniors pretending to study

When can languid be used instead of languorous?

The synonyms languid and languorous are sometimes interchangeable, but languid refers to an unwillingness or inability to exert oneself due to fatigue or physical weakness.

was depressed and languid for weeks after surgery

When would listless be a good substitute for languorous?

While in some cases nearly identical to languorous, listless suggests a lack of interest caused by physical weakness or dissatisfied boredom.

listless hospital patients

listless children flipping through picture books on a rainy day

In what contexts can spiritless take the place of languorous?

The meanings of spiritless and languorous largely overlap; however, spiritless refers to a lack of animation or vigor that gives one's actions and words life.

a spiritless recital of the poem

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of languorous

As at Ha’s Snack Bar, the food is an elegant wallop of neon flavors, foregrounding the punctilious greenness of Vietnamese herbs and the languorous funk of organ meats and offcuts, but now there’s room to breathe, to relax a little, to take it all in, to linger. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2026

The album took soul and gospel cues from his first record and extended them into languorous jams. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2025

The prevailing trend, and antidote to turbulent, ever-changing times, was rather zen, languorous and quieting. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025

And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025